The grounds and ends of the baptism of the children of the faithful. Opened…The grounds and ends of the baptisme of the children of the faithfull. Opened…

A fourth argument may be taken from the easier engrafting of the natural seed of holy Parents, into Christ, then of the posterity of Pagans; which could not be but in respect of their interest in the Covenant, and the benefit redounding to them from thence. For otherwise the Apostles reasoning (Rom. 11.24.) will not hold, If thou (Roman) wert cut off the olive tree wild by nature, and grafted contrary to nature into the good olive tree; how much more shall these Israelites which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? What reason can be given why the Israelites should be much more capable of engrafting into Christ, then the Roman Pagans were? Surely, not in respect of the greater ingenuity and better indoles (or disposition) of nature, that will be found in the Israelites, above what was found in the Romans: (for by nature all are alike corrupt and averse from Christ, one as another, Rom. 3.12. & Psal. 14.3.) but only in respect of Gods greater propension to show his saving and converting grace to the children of his confederates. And so indeed the Apostle explaineth himself verse 26, 27, 28. There shall come (saith he) the deliverer out of Zion, and turn away ungodliness from Jacob. And this is my covenant when I shall take away their sins: As touching the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for their Fathers sake.

A fourth argument may be taken from the easier engraffing of the naturall seed of holy Parents, into Christ, then of the posterity of Pagans; which could not be but in respect of their interest in the Covenant, and the benefit redounding to them from thence. For otherwise the Apostles reasoning (Rom. 11.24.) will not hold, If thou (Roman) wer't cut off the olive tree wilde by nature, and graffed contrary to nature into the good olive tree; how much more shall these Israelites which be the naturall branches, be graffed into their owne olive tree? What reason can be given why the Israelites should be much more capable of engraffing into Christ, then the Roman Pagans were? Surely, not in respect of the greater ingenuity and better indoles (or disposition) of nature, that will be found in the Israelites, above what was found in the Romans: (for by nature all are alike corrupt and averse from Christ, one as another,